JFSLA Advocates for Angelenos at Jewish California Summit
For many years, JFSLA has been part of a statewide advocacy organization called JPAC – Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California. JPAC brings together a variety of Jewish community organizations, including other Jewish Family Service agencies from around the state, to advocate for legislative and policy priorities of importance to our organizations. JPAC has recently rebranded as “Jewish California” and was in Sacramento on May 11th and 12th for annual advocacy meetings with legislators and their staffs.
JFSLA was represented this year by over 20 staff members, Board members, and several members of our Community Impact Network, a leadership and engagement initiative for emerging changemakers in their 20s and 30s who are committed to service and action. They were joined by hundreds of others from around the state. Participants broke into small groups which met with all 120 state legislators or their staff. There was a small group meeting with members of the Governor’s cabinet as well, advocating for specific legislative and budget proposals.
Jewish California’s advocacy this year is focused on two pillars – Countering Antisemitism and Hate and Protecting Vulnerable Communities. Under Protecting Vulnerable Communities, our specific advocacy focus included full funding for the Victims of Crime Act (supporting domestic violence shelter services), the Older Californians Act, Refugee Support and Deportation Defense Services, and securing additional funding for the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program. JFSLA is one of seven JFS agencies in California serving Holocaust Survivors. Even as the overall number of survivors decreases, the needs of those remaining are growing. At JFSLA, we currently have nearly 1,250 survivors in case management, and others on a waitlist. State funding for this program is a high priority for all of the Jewish California advocacy teams.
Thank you to Lisa Shuger, Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Relations and Davina Cohanghadosh, Senior Public Policy Associate for organizing and managing JFSLA participation.
To learn more about the Community Impact Network, please visit www.jfsla.org/cin.
